Christmas 1 C (December 30): Changing Direction/Transformation

There is an updated 2021 version of this blog with heaps more resources - access it via my archive list at left.

Bible Readings: 1 Samuel 2:18-20, Psalm 148, Colossians 3:12-17, Luke 2:41-52

About the Images:

Upper Left: I found this one at the excellent www.heartlight.org site. All their powerpoint pictures are free.

Upper Right: My photo, my sticks, my driveway, my daughter's feet. Please feel free to use the photo for worship and related activities.

Lower Left: This is a free Microsoft clipart image with my text - it goes well with the Colossians reading.

Lower Right: This image comes from the awesome Church Galleries website.  Visit the website at www.churchgalleries.com.

Drama: One day in the Temple
Found in Let's Make a Scene Too by Verena Johnson, Lutheran Publishing House, 1991, ISBN 085910608X, page 9 (pictured at left).

Drama: ...We Are a Family
Found in Let's Make a Scene Too by Verena Johnson, Lutheran Publishing House, 1991, ISBN 085910608X, page 31 and based on the Colossians reading. 

Kid's Discussion: Based on above drama
What is the thing you like doing best?
What new thing have you recently learnt to do?

Point: Because Jesus was a kid growing up and learning new things too, God knows what it is like to be a kid.

Discussion:
To share with your neighbour:
What is your earliest understanding or memory of God?
To think about in silence: How much has changed since that earliest memory?

Story: Who Am I?

Found in The Youth Bible, Word Publishing, 1991, ISBN 0849909252, page 1006, (pictured at right). This story goes well with the gospel reading.

Story: What Do We Expect?
Can't source this story - think I found it in an email.....

A ten year old girl went with a group of family and friends to see the Christmas lights at various locations in her town. At one church they stopped and got out to look at a beautiful nativity scene. "Isn't that beautiful?" said the little girl's grandmother. "Look at all the animals, Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus." "Yes, Grandma," replied the grand daughter. It's really nice. But there's one thing that bothers me. Isn't baby Jesus ever going to grow up....he's the same size he was last year!"

Poem: Coming of Age
By Bruce Prewer in Beyond Words, Joint Board of Christian Education, 1995, ISBN 1864070722

Prayer: Thankyou For the Life of Our Brother
By Bruce Prewer in Brief Prayers for Australians, Open Book Publishers (pictured at left). I chose some images to go with these works and backed them with The Black Rose by Joan Maddon on the album Celtic Twilight 2 (pictured at right).

Response Activity: Transformation

Ask: How can we respond to God's call to be continually transformed?

The ask people to:

1. come out and light a candle as a symbol of their willingness to be transformed by God, to grow deeper and to continue on their faith journey this coming year,

2. light their candle from the Christ candle to show that this is a journey they make with Jesus beside them, and

3. place the candle with everyone's elses as a sign that this is a journey they make together.

Kids: Echidnas on Everest

This is another brilliant book  by Andrew McDonough, Lost Sheep Resources, 2006 (pictured at left). This goes with the Colossians reading.  The great thing about these books is that they only around $A5 and for a further $A10 (or instead of) you can buy on line the story in any format you need to project the pictures in church.  There are also free activity sheets and for a cost activity books for both teachers and children.  Visit www.lostsheep.com.au to check out all the excellent resources.

Also:

Worship Activity: Love and Unity

By Jim Burns and Robin Dugall in Worship Experiences, Gospel Light, 1999, ISBN, 0830724044, page 84 (pictured at right).  This is based on the Colossians reading.

Prayer Exercise: Singing our Prayers

Found in Prayer: Heart of the Pilgrimage by Jenny Youngman, Upper Room Books, Nashville, 2007, ISBN 0835898369, page 68 (pictured at left).  This is based on the Colossians reading.